WMF brings AI For Future back to Silicon Valley on Nov. 5

WMF – We Make Future will return to San Francisco on Nov. 5 for the second edition of AI For Future, a gathering focused on artificial intelligence, investment and startup growth. The event is designed to connect U.S., Italian and European innovation ecosystems and will feature 12 selected startups.

Why it matters: - The San Francisco event gives startups, investors and institutions a direct venue to connect across the U.S., Italy and Europe. - WMF is using AI For Future to deepen its Silicon Valley presence and expand cross-border collaboration in artificial intelligence. - The startup competition gives selected companies exposure to investors, venture capitalists and broader WMF programming that could lead to future visibility and business opportunities.

What happened: - WMF – We Make Future will host the second edition of AI For Future on Nov. 5, 2026, at Mind The Bridge in San Francisco. - The event brings together AI experts, investors, venture capitalists, startups, companies and institutional representatives. - WMF and Search On Media Group organize the event with support from ITA – Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). - 2026 partners include San Marino Innovation, Durana Tech Park, POLIMI School of Management and the Digital Innovation Observatories of Politecnico di Milano. - Attendance is free with registration available through Luma.

The details: - AI For Future is part of the WMF International Roadshow, which WMF has used since 2021 to connect markets, expertise and innovation ecosystems. - The Nov. 5 program will focus entirely on artificial intelligence and applications of AI. - Sessions will include talks by AI experts, discussions on emerging technology trends and panels on investment and venture capital. - The agenda will emphasize opportunities in the U.S. and European markets. - First speakers and guests announced include Leonardo Nasi of the Italian Consulate General in San Francisco, Giosafat Riganò of ITA, Alberto Acito of INNOVIT, Alicia Hanf of LG NOVA, Tejas Chopra of Headroom Labs, Angelo Del Priore of HP Tech Ventures, Jeffrey Abbott of Blitzscaling Ventures, Paolo Dello Vicario of Datrix Group, Alessandro Piva of Politecnico di Milano, Chloe Jones of Durana Tech Park and Jazz Samra of Nium. - The AI 4 Future Startup Competition jury will include Alicia Hanf, Nicolas Rossini of San Marino Innovation, Tejas Chopra, Jerry Kaplan, Angelo Del Priore, Jeffrey Abbott and Joya Scarlata of InterraIT. - The speaker and guest list is still expanding. - Twelve selected startup projects from the U.S., Italy and Europe will pitch at the competition. - The startups will present AI-powered solutions across 14 strategic sectors in the WMF ecosystem, including IndustryTech & Robotics, Health & Life Sciences and CleanTech & Energy. - Selected startups and innovative SMEs may gain access to visibility initiatives, pitch sessions, B2B meetings and networking opportunities within the WMF ecosystem. - That broader path includes AI Festival 2027 in Milan, WMF – We Make Future 2027 at BolognaFiere and Saudi Makes Future 2027 in Riyadh.

Between the lines: - WMF is positioning AI For Future as more than a one-day conference. - The event functions as a dealflow and ecosystem-building platform linking European startups with Silicon Valley capital and commercial networks. - The emphasis on “innovation diplomacy” reflects a broader effort to turn technology events into structured international partnerships.

What’s next: - WMF said more speakers, investors and guests will be announced in the coming days. - The San Francisco event will serve as a bridge to future WMF programs in Milan, Bologna and Riyadh. - The startup competition may feed selected companies into additional WMF pitch and networking opportunities over the next cycle.

The bottom line: - WMF is using AI For Future to strengthen its role as a connector between U.S. and European AI ecosystems while giving startups a platform in Silicon Valley.